Tara is the Executive Director of SpencerCreo Foundation, bringing over 19 years of grassroots experience in the non-profit sector. Tara’s work is rooted in community care, harm reduction, and the belief that systems change must be co-created with the people most impacted.

Grounded in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), Tara has led the development of inclusive employment models, peer-led programming, and social enterprises that prioritize dignity, equity, and sustainability. Their leadership style is collaborative and future-focused, building bridges across disciplines to support long-term, people-centred solutions.

Tara also contributes to provincial and federal advisory committees and collaborates on ethical, community-informed research and policy initiatives with institutions such as the BC Centre on Substance Use and the University of British Columbia.

At SpencerCreo, Tara supports systems-level work that strengthens peer-led employment, advances harm reduction best practices, and builds pathways for community-driven change.

Jared has played a key leadership role for over six years. With more than a decade of experience working alongside marginalized communities, Jared brings a wealth of frontline and management expertise rooted in housing, treatment centres, and harm reduction sites.

At SpencerCreo, Jared has led the development and implementation of peer-informed programming that prioritizes dignity, access, and community connection. He specializes in human resources, peer mentorship, and trauma-informed training, supporting teams through systems navigation, workplace wellness, and professional growth.

Deeply connected to the community that helped shape his journey, Jared draws on his own lived experience to support others navigating complex life circumstances. His approach is grounded in empathy, accountability, and a strong commitment to collective care.

Outside of work, Jared loves spending time with his family, going on adventures, and staying active through sports.

Adele brings over a decade of experience in social care, advocacy, and community-based support work to their role at SpencerCreo Foundation. Their work is rooted in a calm, thoughtful approach and an unwavering commitment to equity, trauma-informed practice, wellness, and relational care.

Adele’s career has spanned both local and international contexts, including work in Ireland supporting youth and adults through community-based programs and social care services. With experience across harm reduction, housing, and health promotion, they bring a well-rounded, culturally attuned lens to every aspect of their work.

At SpencerCreo, Adele supports peer-led, community-informed programming that centers lived and living experience. Whether walking alongside folks through moments of transition or supporting long-term stability, they prioritize trust, dignity, and mutual respect.

Outside of work, Adele finds joy and grounding through movement—spending time boxing, playing basketball, and encouraging others to reconnect with their strength and confidence through physical wellness.

Ant brings deep experience coordinating community-driven programming in Vancouver’s DTES, where their work is grounded in mutual care, relational accountability, and harm reduction. As someone who moves through the world with care and intention, Ant is known for showing up with consistency, humility, and a strong sense of community connection.

Originally from Mexico, Ant carries with them a rich cultural perspective that informs their approach to community support and solidarity. They are deeply committed to peer-led practices that center dignity, autonomy, and lived and living experience. Their day-to-day work often involves holding space for others, responding to community needs in real-time, and fostering environments rooted in safety and belonging.

At SpencerCreo Foundation, Ant plays a key role in supporting programming that reflects the values of collective care and grassroots leadership. They are passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to take up space on their own terms.

Outside of work, Ant finds strength and joy in time spent with friends, chosen family, and the broader community that keeps them grounded.

Navid is a dedicated Support Worker with over a decade of experience walking alongside individuals on their healing and recovery journeys. For the past four years, Navid has been a core part of the SpencerCreo Foundation team, where he brings his steady presence and commitment to low-barrier, person-centred support in Vancouver’s DTES.

Prior to his work at SpencerCreo, Navid supported both youth and adults in residential treatment settings. This experience shaped his trauma-informed, non-judgmental approach and deepened his understanding of substance use and recovery. He later applied this knowledge in the housing sector, where he worked directly with people navigating complex barriers related to being unhoused, mental health, and social stigma.

With years of experience in competitive martial arts and a lifelong dedication to fitness, Navid brings a natural leadership style to his work, encouraging people to reach their goals by meeting them with compassion and consistency. He aims to help others pursue their goals with confidence and holds close the belief that “tough times never last, but tough people do.”

Navid takes deep pride in his Kurdish-Canadian heritage and finds lasting inspiration in his family’s journey since immigrating from Iran nearly 30 years ago. Their resilience continues to shape his values and commitment to a life of service and community. A quote that guides his path comes from Soren Kierkegaard: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

Hannah has over seven years of experience in harm reduction, with a strong focus on overdose prevention and community care. They have worked in a range of frontline roles, including support worker and drug checking technician, bringing deep practical knowledge and compassion to their work.

With a background in both psychology and art, and currently studying accounting, Hannah bridges creativity with analytical thinking. This blend of skills allows them to approach complex systems with both curiosity and care, always centring the dignity, autonomy, and safety of those they support.

As an uninvited settler on these lands, Hannah is committed to ongoing learning and unlearning. They strive to work in solidarity with people with lived and living experience, listening closely, and showing up in ways that challenge systems of oppression while building trust and connection.

At SpencerCreo, Hannah contributes to peer-led programming that reduces stigma, promotes autonomy, and strengthens harm reduction efforts in the DTES.

Kevin is a dedicated support worker with over 15 years of experience serving marginalized and underserved communities. As a biracial Black man, he brings a deeply personal and culturally responsive perspective to his work, rooted in his lived experiences and a commitment to equity, justice, and healing.

Throughout his career, Kevin has worked at the intersection of public health, social justice, and community advocacy, supporting people who use substances and those who work in overdose response, as well as those impacted by systemic racism, poverty, homelessness, and incarceration. His approach centers on dignity, autonomy, and practical support, prioritizing relationship-building and non-judgmental care.

From frontline outreach to program development, leadership, and policy advocacy. Kevin works to help folks in the DTES find and maintain low-barrier employment. He is a respected voice in the field, known for fostering trust, challenging stigma, and building bridges between institutions and the communities they serve.

Daryl Spencer

Judy Gale

Wylie Spencer

While not pictured here, the work of SpencerCreo Foundation would not be possible without the guidance and commitment of our Board of Directors. Their leadership in governance, insight, and behind-the-scenes support help shape our direction and ensure our values remain rooted in community care, accountability, and equity.